Colorado thieves ask for discounted charge because they only stole items on sale

Two Colorado men made an unusual argument before a court as to why they should receive a reduced sentence. The two believe because they only stole items on sale, that they should also receive a discounted sentence.

Michael Green, 50, and Byron Bolden, 37, were formally sentenced this month for retail theft at the Parker Kohls location. The duo were caught on surveillance footage and were dubbed the “KitchenAid Mixer Crew” by police and the media for their involvement in other retail thefts.

According to the 18th Judicial District office handling the case, the defense lawyers “suggested to a jury that their clients should only face a lesser misdemeanor charge because some of the items they stole were being offered ‘on sale’.”

The lawyers were using the Colorado law that states theft under $2,000 is a misdemeanor, while theft between $2,000 to $5,000 is a felony. The total value of the goods stolen from Kohl’s was $2,094.98.

District Attorney John Kellner did not hold back in his response to the absurd argument, stating “Just because an item is ‘on sale’ doesn’t mean it’s free to steal, and these defendants now get to think about this lesson in jail and prison.”

Kellner also added that retailers in the community are facing significant financial losses due to theft and his office will actively pursue and prosecute offenders.

In the end, the arguments from Green and Bolden did not hold up in court.

Both men were convicted of felony theft, with Green receiving a sentence of 15 months in prison and Bolden getting jail time with credit for time served and 18 months of probation.

So far Kohl’s has not commented on the thieves’ request for reduced sentences.